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December 11, 2024 | 01:56 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A Singaporean tourist vacationing in Phuket, Thailand, tragically passed away after receiving a 45-minute oil massage on Patong Beach. The man reportedly stopped breathing immediately following the massage session.
According to a report in the Bangkok Post, Patong Police Chief Police Colonel Chalermchai Hernsawad said that police received an emergency call from a beach massage parlor in Patong at approximately 11:03 p.m. on Saturday, December 9, 2024, regarding a medical incident involving a Singaporean tourist.
Lee Mun Tuck, 52 years old, was reported to have relaxed after the massage and then suddenly stopped breathing. Despite immediate CPR efforts by massage parlor staff and subsequent emergency medical assistance, Tuck did not regain consciousness.
Phuket News reported that the man appeared to fall asleep during the massage, but shortly afterward, he exhibited signs of distress. Massage parlor staff attempted to rouse him, but he remained unresponsive.
Tuck's wife, who was present during the massage, said that her husband had consumed beer prior to the massage. She attributed his death to his sedentary lifestyle and ruled out any suspicion of foul play. Mrs. Tuck declined an autopsy and wanted to return her husband's remains to Singapore for religious ceremonies.
The massage therapist, visibly shaken by the incident, was unable to be questioned further and did not report to work. However, he reportedly stated that Tuck appeared to be in good health before the massage.
Singer's Death Following Neck Massage
This incident marks the second reported death related to massage within a week in Thailand. Earlier, Thai female singer Ping Chayada tragically passed away in Udon Thani province following a neck massage.
Chayada reportedly experienced complications after the massage, initially experiencing neck soreness. Despite seeking further massage therapy to alleviate the discomfort, her condition worsened instead of improving.
In subsequent Facebook posts, Chayada described experiencing numbness spreading throughout her body. She later reported being paralyzed and unable to lift her right arm.
“I want my story to be a lesson for those who like to get massages. I have to recover. I want to work now,” Chayada wrote in a Facebook post, as reported by The Independent.
A previous Facebook post on November 6 revealed that Chayada had undergone two neck massage sessions and another massage with strong pressure at a local salon.
An investigation is currently underway to determine whether her death was directly related to the massage treatments or underlying health conditions. Local authorities have confirmed that the salon and all massage therapists were operating with the necessary licenses.
Side Effects of Massage
Massage therapy is generally considered safe. However, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health in the United States acknowledges the potential for serious side effects, although rare. These can include blood clotting, nerve injury, or bone fractures, particularly in cases involving strong massage techniques.
Prof. Dr. Thiravat Hemachudha, advisor to the College of Oriental Medicine at Rangsit University, Thailand, issued a stern warning about the dangers of neck manipulation and massage. He emphasized that improper techniques, such as forceful neck rotation or cervical spine massage, can increase the risk of damage to the blood vessel walls supplying the brain. This can lead to serious consequences, including brain tissue death, hemiplegia, and paralysis.
Individuals with obesity or high blood pressure are considered to be at higher risk. “The danger increases with the intensity of rotating, flicking, or twisting a person's head. Repeatedly performing these actions can not only damage nerves but also blood vessels in the neck,” he cautioned.
BANGKOK POST | PHUKET NEWS | THE INDEPENDENT
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